Beach bod beauty: Rules to get bikini-ready

Jessica Padykula is a freelance writer and editor in Toronto, Canada covering a wide range of topics for several online lifestyle publications. She is a regular contributor for SheKnows, covering travel, style, relationships, health and...

Beach-worthy beauty

Beach season is upon us, which means it’s time to make sure we’re ready to bare some skin this summer. Ensure you look great as you strut your stuff on the sand with our get-gorgeous guide.

Buff and polish

Whether you’re going to be applying self-tanner or not, scrubbing your skin is key for looking beach-ready. In terms of (faux) tanning, smoother skin allows for a smoother application (read: no streaks), and in general, a buffed and polished bod looks much healthier and in turn, better in a bathing suit. So say sayonara to dry skin and give yourself a head-to-toe glow with regular (at least once a week) exfoliation. Grab a sugar or salt scrub and exfoliate in a circular motion from your feet, all the way up to your shoulders.

Make your faux tan last

Getting that perfect, beach-ready faux glow takes time and then you have to let it dry (which likely means 30 minutes of standing naked in the bathroom to avoid streaks). Don't let all your hard work go to waste. To keep your tan in tip-top shape, avoid getting wet for at least six hours after applying self-tanner, skip the razor for two to three days and avoid exfoliating body wash (use a creamy cleanser instead). Moisturizing regularly will also help your tan last.

Get moving

Even if you have yet to start your bikini countdown workout regimen or healthy eating plan, now is as good a time as any to start making healthier choices. You'll feel and look better because of it. Walk more, take a few new classes at the gym, lace up your running shoes and switch to cleaner eating (up your intake of fresh foods and skip the processed stuff). Drinking lots of water is also a better-body must.

Be SPF-savvy

Keep skin healthy and free of premature signs of aging by making sure you use sunscreen regularly before hitting the beach. Opt for a broad-spectrum product (one that protects from both UVA and UVB rays). UVA rays can accelerate the signs of aging, while UVB rays are the ones that can cause burns. Go for SPF 30 (or ideally, higher) and remember to reapply every time you come back out of the water.

Watch: How to wear your hair at the pool or beach

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